MARGAO
Goa coach Norberto Gonsalves was left dejected after his side suffered a 2-3 defeat against defending champions Kerala in the opening match of the final round qualifiers of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy on Friday.
Speaking to The Goan, Gonsalves stressed that there was no lack of effort from his players, who conceded a stoppage-time winner after rallying to level the game 2-2 after falling behind by two goals.
"There was no lack of effort at all. They tried very hard. It's just that you are playing against a team who had prepared for the last three months, let's be honest. We gave whatever we had, especially in the first half but it is what it is," Gonsalves said. “When you lose 2-3, it’s very difficult (to accept). We didn’t deserve to lose the match," said Gonsalves.
"Football is full of mistakes, so it happens. It would have been different if our rearguard were alert in the injury time. We just need to get better with every game. Until that one crucial error from the defender, we had played the best game in the tournament so far. But that does not get you the points," the visibly disappointed coach stated.
The head coach further said that the team has taken many positives from the defeat against Kerala and will look forward to winning the upcoming matches.
“We have to keep doing the good things. Today, we did many good things and will try harder in the next matches. I think that the players are demonstrating that they can win against anyone and we will come back and bounce back,” Gonsalves said. “When you concede an injury-time goal, it knocks the confidence out of you. The heads drop. Ours is a very good group of boys, they work very hard. They will learn and bounce back."
